Resume Wizard

Unlike the “old days” of pens, typewriters and word processors, resumes and curriculum vitaes (CV’s) are much easier to prepare using a computer with a resume wizard. The resume or CV is a summary of your academic and educational background with the aim to outline your credentials for employment or academic pursuits. The resume wizard will help create your document for you. With a series of pop-up boxes, the wizard helps you step-by-step to build your resume and compile your personal details. It offers automatic formatting and professional appearance. A resume template, on the other hand, is a template (much like a form) which you can fill in your personalized information. The wizard “prompts” you to insert data, and then it fills in and formats the resume for you.

Fortunately, these easy-to-use software tools are also very easy to find. In fact, if you own a computer, you probably have a resume wizard pre-installed on it within the Word® software. Microsoft Office products usually come with the wizard in its word processing package. If you don’t already own one on your computer, or you simply want to find more varieties of resume templates from which to choose, this article will point you in the right direction.

A number of companies offer free use of resume wizards or builders online. These include:

• Microsoft Office - With a wizard for everything from entry level to professional, median, modern, chronological and digital portfolios, Microsoft Office provides up to 77 design templates from which to choose. Spend some time perusing the various styles to get just the right one for your needs.
• Military Resume Wizard.com - This web site offers tools to help you build your CV in three easy steps. This resume builder is specifically geared toward those transitioning from military to civilian workforce.
• Job Dig offers a free resume builder at its web site. Their job tools include a free resume service, job alerts and an effective job tracker system. You can choose from several professional design templates too.
• Pongo.com offers a free trial of its services, including use of its resume builder software. Producing a high quality, professional-looking resume you can access anytime, from any computer, the Pongo resume builder is fast and easy to use. Simply create a user profile and the software will generate a custom resume template for you, which you can finish in a few easy steps.
• The Resume Place offers free resume and KSA builders specifically geared for federal jobs. Develop required KSAs (Knowledge, Skills and abilities - a list of special qualifications and personal attributes that you need to have for a particular job) with the Resume Place Context-Challenge-Action-Results builder. Next, develop your resume using the federal resume builder tools.
• USA Jobs, the official job site of the U.S. Government, offers a free resume builder geared toward federal jobs. Create one uniform resume that provides all of the information required by government agencies. Instead of creating multiple resumes in different formats, you can build your resume once and be ready for all job opportunities.

1. If you don't like the resume templates that came bundled on your computer, then don't use them. There are too many other choices available and many of them are free. Choose a resume template that offers a style you'll be proud of and which will showcase your talents best.
2. If money is an issue, then opt for free services. All of the resume builders listed above are either free, or offer a free trial for initial usage. Avail yourself of free information and assistance. LoveToKnow is filled with free information. The USA Jobs web site offers free job-search information. The Employment Security Administration is another avenue for free help in your job search.
3. Tailor the resume style to the job for which you are applying. In most situations, the chronological resume style will work, but other times you need something different. Resumes for federal jobs, for example, must conform to the government's required formats by listing KSAs. If you're applying for an ad agency job or a photography job, you will want to use a resume style that focuses on your portfolio.
4. Consider ease of use. Even if it's free, a resume builder won't serve your needs if you find it frustrating. Choose a resume builder that is convenient and easy to use.
5. Professional results are important. The last thing you want is to turn in a resume that looks sloppy, unprofessional and childish. Choose a resume builder that provides the most professional results possible.

The resume is so important that it can make or break your chances of getting the initial interview or being hired. That is very important to your future. Since you're reading this article, you're probably aware of that fact and you're headed in the right direction to create a job-winning resume. Putting in extra time, research and effort to make your resume shine above others will help you climb the ladder to a more successful position.

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